Unfortunately, somwone's significant other not being able to drive isn't limited to the really big rigs. We have a 32' Georgetown, Ford F53 chassis. We found out after we'd bought it that the ergonomics of the driver's position make it impossible for DW to drive the damned thing. We are kicking ourselves for not checking the ergonomics more carefully.
Thank-you Ford for not offering a telescopic steering column or enough adjustments on the driver's seat for a driver less than about 5'4" to drive the thing! DW is less than 5' tall and there's no way she can adjust things to be able to drive it.
She has no trouble with our Kia Sedona - in fact she can get too close to the controls! I think the RV industry and its chassis suppliers needs to look more closely at ergonomics and make sure shorter people can operate these rigs. People 5'and shorter aren't routinely driving commercial box trucks, so it hasn't been an issue. A telescopic steering column would be a big help, as would seat adjustments that got the driver closer to the pedals, or an adjustable pedal cluster that Ford offered on the Taurus.
When I started a post-Boeing-retirement job as a transit bus driver, I was amazed how Gillig and other coach builders made the driver's position so infinitely adjustable. The steering column had two angle adjustments (one down near the floor and another about 2 feet below the steering wheel. Add a telescopic top section about 2' long and it could accommodate anyone.
The transit agency had drivers of similar build to DW and they could get things adjusted to suit them with no problems. Maybe we should have gone looking for a Gillg-based motor-home.
What bothers me the most is that, if I were incapacitated on a trip, we'd have to get one of our sons-in-law to come rescue us.
